Sam Finnerty spun a complete game shutout in game one of Friday’s doubleheader at Sewell-Thomas Stadium, leading Alabama baseball to a 9-0 win over South Carolina. The series-opening victory moves UA to 21-10 overall, 3-7 in Southeastern Conference play.

Finnerty (5-3) tossed a career-long 9.0 innings, allowing four hits and no walks while striking out five. The senior used only 79 pitches on the way to the Crimson Tide’s first complete game shutout since May 18 of last season when Jake Walters did so on Senior Night against Ole Miss. Finnerty’s start was highlighted by a stretch in the middle of the game that saw him retire 16 straight Gamecock hitters.

The bats also came alive in game one with four players recording multi-hit performances, led by junior Tyler Gentry’s 2-for-4 day that included a grand slam, a team-high four RBI and two runs scored. Fellow juniors Morgan McCullough and Brett Auerbach also contributed a pair of hits and two RBI apiece, with McCullough adding two runs scored.

Alabama piled the runs on early, scoring nine across the first three frames. The Tide began the scoring with a three-spot in the first. Junior Kolby Robinson led the game off with a single and put himself in scoring position on a groundout. The extra base was useful, as a single in the next at-bat from McCullough brought in Robinson for the game’s first run. A single by Gentry then put two on before Auerbach cleared the bases with a double to left-center, making it a 3-0 game through one.

The Tide posted five runs in the second, highlighted by a grand slam from Gentry. A walk, hit-by-pitch and one more walk loaded the bases for McCullough. The junior singled to right, advancing everyone a station. With the bases still packed, Gentry sent an 0-2 pitch deep to left to double UA’s lead in one swing of the bat. Another ball left the yard in the third, this one from T.J. Reeves, with the freshman’s solo shot making it a 9-0 game, the eventual final.

Alabama and South Carolina will now break before starting game two of today’s doubleheader. First pitch of the nightcap is set for 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network.

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